Tiger Kingis one of the biggest streaming hits of the current pandemic era, with millions of viewers watching and discovering Joe Exotic’s bizarre hand in the world of big cat breeding. The series proved popular enough to warrant a sequel season, which was released in November of 2021—but not everyone is enthusiastic about this success. Morgan Creek Productions has especially reacted to the show in a negative way, as they have sued Netflix for the series' use of two clips fromAce Ventura: When Nature Calls"without permission or license."
Morgan Creek is the production company behind a slew of box office hits from the 1980s and 1990s. Known forAce Ventura: Pet DetectiveandAce Ventura: When Nature Calls, Morgan Creek is also responsible for films such asThe Last of the Mohicans,True Romance,Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and various sequels tohorror landmarkThe Exorcist. With their latest film production being 2017’s Tupac Shakur biopicAll Eyez on Me, Morgan Creek only has two more films currently in development: anExorcistco-production with Blumhouse and a remake of the 2011 horror filmDream House.
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In their lawsuit, Morgan Creek Productions alleges thatTiger King’s voice-over narration mentionsAce Venturaat the time the clips are shown and thatAce Venturais the only feature film with more than one clip included during the series. Morgan Creek claims that the clips were used “without permission or license,” that the clips “enhanced the commercial value ofTiger King,” and that the clips impliedAce Venturaand its representatives to be “promotingTiger Kingfavorably.”
Tiger Kinghas been making waves throughout pop culture in addition to receiving a second season.Peacock seriesJoe Exotic, an upcoming narrative series based on the titular man’s exploits has been ordered by NBC with John Cameron Mitchell, Kate McKinnon, and Kyle MacLachlan attached to star as Joe Exotic, Carole Baskin, and Howard Baskin, respectively. The series is also a common point of reference among pop culture fans and celebrities alike—for Adam McKay’s new Netflix satireDon’t Look Up,Timothée Chalamet was inspired by Joe Exotic’s mulletwhen imagining his character’s hairstyle.
Time will tell if Morgan Creek Productions is able to win its lawsuit against Netflix, or if the dispute will be settled out of court. In any case, the incident is a reminder to documentary filmmakers of all creeds to secure permission or license before using footage from outside sources such as narrative feature films.
